Outspoken city councillor Lee Vandervis, who complained of being sidelined from senior posts within the Dunedin City Council, rejected at least three other roles offered by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, it has emerged.

The temperature is rising in Dunedin's mayoral race as incumbent Dave Cull and one of his fiercest rivals go head-to-head over credit for slashing the Forsyth Barr Stadium interest bills by $128 million.

A call by a Dunedin city councillor for some Christchurch rebuilding to be shifted to Dunedin has drawn the ire of Christchurch residents and scorn from Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.